February « 2008 « SLWTF – A Second Life travelogue by Garth Goode

How Scheherazade got her groove back

February 13, 2008

When I landed in Purgatorio I expected something just a little bit like Hell. Instead I found a stunning 1001 Nights roleplay region. I wouldn’t have thought this level of detail and realism were possible in Second Life. This particular sort of roleplay isn’t my thing, but… Oh my, this build is something to see.

You land at a rez point where you are given some basic rules and an observer tag. The rules are reasonable. Try to blend in as best you can (Medieval or Middle Eastern clothing), wear the observer tag, and don’t interfere with people’s roleplay. There are also instructions on how to participate, should you desire to do so. Then click the transporter and you find yourself in the desert outside a tent encampment. The castle looms impressively in the distance.

If what you see doesn’t take your breath away… pinch yourself, you’re probably dead.

Walk to the castle (no flying allowed here) and open the gates. The interior lives up to the promises of the outer facade. It’s a complex maze of rooms and passages, all with different themes and roleplay items. The detailing is beautiful and varied. It’s easy to lose your way, just like you might in a real castle.

Trying to find my way to the highest tower was an exercise in frustration. I never did figure out how to get up there. But along the way I saw so many impressive sights that I really didn’t mind.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Purgatorio/220/198/502/

Update: I went back to Purgatorio while using the new Windlight viewer and changed the lead picture for this post. Wow. Here’s the same one with the environment set to sunrise.

1 Comment | builds, wow | Tagged: 1001 nights, arabian nights, roleplay | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Weekend getaway

February 12, 2008

A lot of the time I’ll poke fun at Japanese builds for their sheeer strangeness. Giant pens, saliva skins… it’s sometimes all too easy to find something that to our western eyes is at once awful and amusing.

So imagine my surprise when I landed on the Naturum island resort. I decided to travel there because I thought the name was interesting, not even knowing it was Japanese.

It’s a lovely build. Sure, most of the signs are in Japanese, but all that means is that you have to walk around to discover what’s there. And I encourage you to walk, not fly. It’s a great way to while away some time with your main squeeze. Starting out, you’ll pass by a clubhouse where you can pick up some fishing gear. (Once again, the instructions are in Japanese, but with some patience you’ll figur it out).

Make your way through the shopping village and you’ll find yourself on well-groomed hiking paths. Climb to the top of the mountain for a hang glider and great views of the island. Someone paid real attention to detail here. As you get closer to the top the trees transition to those appropriate for higher altitudes, such as pine. Nice.

The shoreline is especially enaging. There you can try out your fishing gear or take one of the many watercraft that dot the shore for a spin. I found a canoe, a windsurf, a surfboard, and a jetski. They seem to just pop up at random. The region borders the MetaBirds Sea regions, so there is plenty of open water to use and other islands to which you can travel.

The beauty of Naturum is that there are a lot of different things to do. While the prevalence of Japanese speaking people there means that you won’t be able to interact much with the populace, it is still a very pleasant escape.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Naturum%20Island/69/215/33/

1 Comment | builds, international, resorts | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Latter day avatars

February 10, 2008

I’ll be up front: I’m an atheist Unitarian. But I’ve always had an interest in the history of Christianity an it’s varying sects. I’m one of those awful people who likes to talk about religion and politics at parties. I find meeting and talking with people of different religions interesting. What else are you going to talk about? Sports? Bleah.

Now, a year ago when I did a search for Mormons I found a small chapel on a 1024 square meter parcel run by a nice lady from Hawaii. She was trying to come to terms with the sprawling malls going up around her. That was pretty much it for Latter Day Saints presence in Second Life. (Now, I know some of you are going to say, “Mormons aren’t Christians!” but from where I sit it’s just another branch on that big crucifix-shaped tree).

A year later a set of islands dedicated to the Latter Day Saints has sprung up (independently of the woman from Hawaii, I think). I landed in the central square of Adam ondi Ahman where I found a nice group of people chatting away. They welcomed me warmly and told me about recent dances and events. The folks definitely wanted me to know that if the place wasn’t bustling while I was there, there are times when it is packed). They even liked my Remember: Pillage, then Burnt-shirt (though my sense of decorum made me put on a suit). It seems like a lively community. Certainly they are earnest, asking that I please make sure a picture of their recently deceased president make it into my blog post. (Done!).

Near the temple (no, you can’t get in if you aren’t a member) is a of hedge maze that gives you a sort of Reader’s Digest condensed version of the Boook of Mormon and basic LDS beliefs. Not a bad way to spend an hour, if you’re interested in learning a little something about other people.

The builds themselves are pretty standard Second Life fare. This is obviously a community effort. It looks like the regions are set up to support not just Mormon gathering places and businesses, but residential areas as well. It’s a work in progress, and I’m looking forward to visiting again in six months or a year to see how they’ve progressed.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Adam%20ondi%20Ahman/186/128/26/

Leave a Comment » | people, religion | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Getting it right

February 8, 2008

A little while back I bemoaned the fact that lot of corporate sites in Second Life just don’t get it. They build what amounts to a bad 3-D brochure. No interactivity, no community, and no reason to visit more than once, look around, and say, “meh.”

The European telecommunications company Orange is trying to get it right.

They’re making a good go of it with some interesting efforts. The most exciting one is their program to grant land and resources to a few cash-poor residents with creative ideas for projects. (If you have an interest you should head over there soon and get some information. The deadline for submissions is mid-February). In true community fashion readers of their blog will help to decide who wins.

When you enter the region you can grab a tour HUD that will take you to the primary attractions. There are the obligatory music performance venues (which actually seem to have scheduled events). There’s also an area where pre-recorded music by a featured artist is played. There are plenty of places for people to hang out in groups.

The Music Cloud impressed me as something new and different. Walk through a named box and a tone or rhythm will become more and more audible. Leave the box and the sound fades away. Now imagine a group of people walking through these boxes at once. What’s merely interesting as an individual has fascinating possibilities with a group. People, together, make something that one alone can’t.

The hang glider is an individual experience, but a lot of fun nonetheless. I know we can all fly in Second Life, but the experience of gliding and swooping around is somehow liberating and not at all what I expected.

The only thing missing is people. The regions were disappointingly empty. Maybe it’s because at the times I visit most Europeans are in bed. That’s a shame because Orange seems to be making a real effort at figuring out this virtual community thing.

To some extent this could be so much image building on the part of Orange. One can argue whether or not they are really interested in making meaningful connections, as they say. Whatever their motivations, the effort is a solid one. More importantly, they seem to be dedicated to actively maintaining the place and making it grow and change in response to visitor feedback. If only other other companies tried as hard.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Orange%201/206/135/31/

2 Comments | builds, commercial, international | Tagged: orange, telecom | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Guilty as charged

February 7, 2008

Those who know me best in Second Life probably boggle at my cojones when I poke fun at the strange and silly. I’ll admit that it’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It takes a lot of hutzpah for a guy who originated the concept of formal chaps to call something strange or silly.

But hutzpah I have in spades. In Vigdorova you’ll find two rather large objects. The taller one is my Twisty Tower (or as others have called it, the Screw, the Drill Bit, and WTF Is That?). It’s about 240 meters high so there’s a teleporter inside the base to get you to the top quickly. The prototype was 700 meters high but it chewed up too many prims, so I cut it to just a bit taller than neighboring towers (since demolished). Boys will be boys.

On a slightly smaller scale, one day I thought it would be fun to build the Statue of Liberty from the closing scenes of the original Planet of the Apes. Hopefully I haven’t ruined the ending for you now. Since I’m not completely insane I just built the arm and torch instead. This was a fine use of my low-end building skills since it had to look pretty well wrecked. If it had to look good I would have dropped it right then and gone dancing.

You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell! Sorry, I lost myself in the moment there. So as much I enjoy poking fun at the stranger things I’ve seen in Second Life, I know that I’m just as bad myself. Maybe it takes one to know one.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vigdorova/154/182/83/

Leave a Comment » | builds, silly | Tagged: liberty, towers | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Hot Pocky

February 6, 2008

While flying through the Japanese regions I couldn’t help but notice something new and large. A huge green pentagon-shaped island filled an entire region in the middle of the usually orderly MagSL grid. On each side of the pentagon a giant Pocky rose majestically out of the water. In the distance I could see chocolately buildings and trees.

Holy cow, Batman, this is different.

I tried to fly in but access was denied. My pilgrimage to Pocky heaven would have to wait a few days until the region opened officially.

This is, without a doubt, a fabulously creative build, and skillfully done. You walk down cracker pathways between trees made of chocolate swirls, or Pocky, or splashes of milk. At the end of each pathway is a small building for you to explore. If it isn’t grass, it’s made of carbohydrates. It’s like a Keebler elf’s wet dream.

There may be more to do here besides look around, but I haven’t figured it out. One cottage had a bell I was able to ring and an object shouted that I had completed a task. There’s a welcome sign in the center of the region, but of course it is in Japanese.

This may be one of those corporate “Second Life as 3-D Brochure” regions, but it is absolutely worth a visit, nonetheless. If corporations are going to do 3-D brochures, please let them be as well executed as this. It’s a visit to Candyland. It’s a dessert oasis. It’s Chocolate Oz and the Land of Diabetic Smurfs all rolled into one.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pocky/128/128/40/

2 Comments | builds, commercial, wow | Tagged: food, pocky | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Full circle

February 4, 2008

The statue stands before you, massive and motionless. Her arms are outstretched, the wind seemingly in her face. Without warning she begins to glow and change. She is no longer a statue. She is flesh and blood, and her hair is a fiery halo dancing in the breeze.

This is just one of the surpises in store for you in Black Swan, yet another incredible region from the folks at Rezzable. Their combination of imagination and sheer building skill is unmatched in Second Life. It makes you remember just how much is possible in Second Life. Thanks to Leila Altamura for letting me know about it.

The region takes the form of a waterbound ring of stone and platforms surrounding a massive statue of an embracing couple. (Take a closer look — they aren’t quite what they seem at frst glance). As you walk the path before you there are hazards and tests of your jumping skill. None of these are too difficult to get past — no damage is done and flying is allowed. Turn your draw distancce up to 512 and take in the sights.

And oh what sights. Take your time, get a good look at everything, and enjoy yourself. The region is filled wtih Oh my word, look at that moments. When you come full circle, be sure to step into the light; even more surprises await you.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Black%20Swan/246/124/38/

1 Comment | builds, wow | Tagged: rezzable | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

A token of their appreciation

February 3, 2008

Token Corporation builds apartment complexes and leases apartments in real life. They also like to give a way costumes and clothes in their Second Life region. Some of them are silly and some of them are quite nice. I may look ridiculous as a swan, but I look almost credible in a judo outfit.

All of them seem to have some sort of tie-in to the Token TV commercials. There are four more besides the ones I’m modeling here, some of them of surprisingly good quality for freebies.

Does this towel make my hips look big?

Wander around the region and you’ll find some impressive fireworks that you can control. Have a seat and put on a show for your friends.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/token/105/114/48/

Leave a Comment » | cute, international | Tagged: freebies | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

Fun with a friend

February 1, 2008

Some people bowl because they like to bowl. Since I fairly suck at bowling, on those rare occasions I do bowl it’s because it’s something to do with friends. So it’s nice to find something in Second Life that you can do together that isn’t dancing, shopping, or exploring.

Splitsville is a nicely designed indoor and outdoor bowling venue. You can play or watch — there are plenty lanes and plenty of places to hang out. They’ve got a nice music stream, too (How often do you hear Phil Harris singing That’s What I Like About The South in Second Life?).

The gameplay itself is very well designed, easy to master, and true to life. A glove allows you to grab the ball and a HUD allows you to aim and throw. Just like in real life you have to wait for your ball to return, so you have a chance to moan about the tough spare you have coming up. Once my ball even got stuck in the return and I had to risk a finger pulling it out.

Best of all, you don’t have to wear bowling shoes.

What form…!

What technique…!

What a gutter ball…!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/InWorld%20Park/129/175/23/

2 Comments | games, sports | Tagged: bowling | Permalink
Posted by Garth Goode

SLWTF – A Second Life travelogue by Garth Goode

How Scheherazade got her groove back

Weekend getaway

Latter day avatars

Getting it right

Guilty as charged

Hot Pocky

Full circle

A token of their appreciation

Fun with a friend

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